Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Sam Attwood & Jay Stewart
Images: Sam Attwood

A double from Shoichi Kishimizu has guided Sunshine Coast FC to a 3-1 win against Northern Fury at Kawana Sports Reserve - Fire's first of the season.

The hosts struck twice in the opening ten minutes to leave Fury shell-shocked - Kishimizu’s opener complemented by a goal to new recruit Paul Mikula on debut.

Benjamin Stanley pulled a goal back for Fury in his first start of the campaign shortly after half-time as the visitors flirted with a comeback, however they proved unable to reel in the hosts.

The result marks a first ever PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues win for new Fire coach Sam Saif on his first match-day in charge of the squad.

It also sees Fury remain at the bottom of the standings as the sole team without a competition point after three rounds.

Key Moments

3’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – James Verdin delivers a low cross which is duly converted by Shoichi Kishimizu from 15 yards

8’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Paul Mikula converts with a headed effort off the post from Grant De Chastel’s free-kick

19’ – CHANCE FOR FURY – Jae Eurell chances his hand from 25 yards but Fire goalkeeper Samuel Nickolls is up to task to palm the ball over the crossbar

46’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – A goalmouth scramble results in James Verdin taking a stab at goal but he skies his attempt from close range

56’ – CHANCE FOR FURY – Michael Eisenhut strikes from distance and an awkward bounce nearly catches out Samuel Nickolls, but the goalkeeper makes the stop with his dead

63’ – GOAL FOR FURY – After being released by a through ball Michael Eisenhut cuts back to Benjamin Stanley, who converts from close range

81’ – CHANCE FOR FURY – Benjamin Stanley looks to level terms from distance but despite some late swerve Samuel Nickolls has it covered

84’ – GOAL FOR FIRE – Chris Jancevski delivers a low cross into Schoichi Kishimizu who guides it home to seal the points and his brace

What They Said

“(The win) gives us a little bit of confidence. We’ve got a long way to go obviously with a new coach coming in and players still getting used to each other. It’s a challenge for us and we are all relishing it and looking forward to the rest of the season.“ – Matthew Lyell, Sunshine Coast FC

“I think that we started off pretty slow and gave away two pretty soft early goals. But I think after the first ten to fifteen minutes we dominated the rest of the game but didn’t put away our chances. I think in the second half (Fire) had one shot and scored, and we couldn’t make our chances count. “ – George Dalton, Northern Fury FC

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 3
Sunday, March 13
Kawana Sports Western Precinct

Sunshine Coast FC 3 defeat Northern Fury FC 1

Sunshine Coast FC

Goals – Shoichi KISHIMIZU 3’ 84’, Paul MIKULA 8’
Yellow cards – James VERDIN 9’, Connor HANCOCK 73’, Christopher JANCEVSKI 80’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Samuel NICKOLLS, 2. Timothy HOLLINGWORTH, 4. Christopher JANCEVSKI, 6. Connor HANCOCK, 8. Grant DE CHASTEL, 9. Brady CRONK, 14. James VERDIN, 16. Paul MIKULA, 18. Matthew LYELL, 17. Paul BROWNLIE, 19. Shoichi KISHIMIZU,

Unused – 3. Giacomo MELLINO, 5. Kyle TOWNSEND, 7. Cameron NAIRN, 12. Jordan LLOYD, 20. Josh WALL

Northern Fury FC

Goals – Benjamin STANLEY 63’
Yellow cards – Jae EURELL 16’, George DALTON 68’,
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Luke MCDONALD, 2. Caleb HOBSON, 4. George DALTON (16. Joshua VALLE 89’), 8. Jae EURELL, 9. Benjamin STANLEY, 10. Michael EISENHUT (5. Thomas PEARCE 65’), 11. Jonathon BAGLEY, 12. Joseph THORNTON (19. Matthew MITCHELL 89’), 13. Mitchell MAHER, 14. Samuel HERLIHY, 17. Hamish CASSADY

Unused – 20. Ryan MURPHY

Match officials – David WIEBE (referee), Ben COOK (assistant), Jay HUDSON (assistant), Zac KEENAN (fourth)